13 Simple Sour Cream Substitutes for Any Recipe

Ever find yourself in the middle of cooking to find you don’t have a key ingredient on hand? Instead of having to run to the store, knowing what substitutes will work in its place can save you time. 

One common ingredient you may need a replacement for is sour cream. Check out these sour cream substitutes for the next time you’re in a pinch with a sour cream recipe.

Table of Contents

• Greek yogurt
• Plain yogurt
• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Vegan mayo
• Buttermilk
• Kefir
• Crème fraîche
• Crema Mexicana
• Coconut milk
• Cottage cheese
• Cashew cream
• DIY sour cream

1. Greek yogurt

Best for: baking, dips, marinades, sauces, toppings

Most likely the best substitute for sour cream is Greek yogurt. With a thick texture and tangy taste, Greek yogurt is very similar to sour cream. 

You can use a 1:1 ratio when substituting — just make sure to use a full-fat plain Greek yogurt to avoid curdling in pan sauces and baked goods. Additionally, avoid Greek yogurt with artificial thickeners such as gums or starches when baking, as it can create an odd final texture.

Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for every cup of Greek yogurt for an even more similar taste to sour cream.

2. Plain yogurt

Best for: dips, dressings, sauces, spreads, toppings

If you only have plain yogurt on hand, that will work, too, since it’s also a bit sour in flavor. It isn’t as thick as Greek yogurt, but that can be easily remedied.

To thicken regular yogurt: 

• Line a sieve with a coffee filter, cheesecloth or paper towel.
• Strain yogurt through the sieve by pressing yogurt with the back of a spoon or ladle.
• Use the yogurt that’s left in the sieve as your substitute.

With this method, 1 cup of yogurt will equal roughly ¾ cup of strained yogurt. Continue to use a 1:1 ratio when substituting strained yogurt for sour cream.

Once thickened, plain yogurt is a great topping for dishes like baked potatoes, enchiladas or chili. You can also flavor the yogurt with spices and herbs to complement different cuisines or create dips.

3. Cream cheese

Best for: baking, bread, dips, dressings, sauces

Cream cheese can be an excellent replacement for sour cream, as it melts well and doesn’t curdle with high heat. This makes it ideal for thickening sauces and a great substitute for sour cream in baking, specifically items like muffins, bread and pancakes.

Cream cheese is thicker than sour cream, so you’ll need to soften it for the best results. This doesn’t apply if your cream cheese is already whipped, however.

To soften cream cheese so it can be used like sour cream: 

• Let cream cheese come to room temperature.
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, buttermilk or water per 6 ounces of cream cheese.

Feel free to skip these steps if your cream cheese is already whipped. You’ll also want to use 6 ounces of cream cheese for every cup of sour cream needed. The only exception is when making pan sauces, in which case a 1:1 ratio will work better.

4. Mayonnaise

Best for: baking, dips, dressings, marinades, salads, sauces, toppings

With a similar consistency to sour cream, mayonnaise makes for a great swap! It’s delicious in recipes like potato salad or dips.

You can substitute mayo for sour cream in baked goods, as the eggs and oil will provide extra moisture. If you want to use it as a topping, just thin it a bit with a dash of apple cider vinegar. This addition will also add a hint of sourness to aid the flavor.

You’ll want to reach for a mayo that’s light in color and flavor to avoid overpowering your dish. Make sure to use a 1:1 ratio as well.

5. Vegan mayo

Best for: baking, dips, dressings, marinades, salads, sauces, toppings

Similar to regular mayonnaise, vegan mayo is a great choice as a sour cream alternative due to its texture. 

Here’s how to make vegan mayo at home if you don’t have store-bought on hand:

• Blend ⅓ cup of unsweetened, room temperature soy milk, ½ teaspoon of yellow mustard and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• Continue blending on high while slowly adding 1 cup of canola or sunflower oil until fluffy.
• Add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice and blend again until combined.

Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting for best results.

6. Buttermilk

Best for: dips, dressings

With a smooth and tart taste, buttermilk can be an easy sub for sour cream in certain dishes. While best used for dressings and dips, it can also work for baking or other dishes if you get the ratio right. 

Since buttermilk is thinner than sour cream, only use ¾ cup of buttermilk for every cup of sour cream when baking. For dips or sauces, use ½ cup of buttermilk for every cup of sour cream. 

Just remember that buttermilk isn’t a great replacement for toppings since it’s too thin to be dolloped.

7. Kefir

Best for: dips, dressings, pancakes

If you already have this probiotic drink in your fridge for smoothies or dressings, you’re in luck because it’s a great sour cream replacement! The texture of this fermented dairy drink is like a mix of buttermilk and yogurt, and it has a sour taste.

When subbing kefir for sour cream, make sure to use unflavored, unsweetened kefir for the closest flavor match. A 1:1 ratio will work for most sour cream recipes. However, if you’re making a dip, substitute half of what’s called for in sour cream for kefir.

It’s also a bit thinner than sour cream, so it won’t be great for dolloping. 

8. Crème fraîche

Best for: casseroles, dips, sauces, soups, stews, toppings

Crème fraîche is basically a French sour cream. It’s a little less sour than typical sour cream, but it’s rich and creamy in texture. 

Its thicker texture resembles something in between cream cheese and sour cream. This means it’s great for dolloping on dishes like baked potatoes or for mixing into mashed potatoes for extra creaminess. 

It also curdles less than yogurt on high heat, so it works well in pan sauces! For the same reason, crème fraîche is actually better for soups and stews than sour cream. Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting.

9. Crema Mexicana

Best for: dressing, sauces, soups, toppings

If crème fraîche is the French version of sour cream, then crema Mexicana is the Mexican version of sour cream! Similar to crème fraîche, it’s a bit thinner and milder in flavor than sour cream.

Though slightly different, this substitute can still be used for most recipes, with the exception of baked goods. It’s great for drizzling on top of food like tacos or for calming spicy dishes.

This replacement also won’t curdle on high heat and should be used with a 1:1 ratio.

10. Coconut milk

Best for: dips, dressings, toppings

Coconut milk is a great dairy-free option for replacing sour cream. Depending on the texture of your dish, there are a few ways you can use it. 

If you need a thicker consistency, follow these steps with canned full-fat coconut milk:

• Skim the coconut cream that naturally rises to the top.
• Transfer the cream to a bowl.
• Mix in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for every cup of coconut cream and a pinch of salt.
• Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

If your dish doesn’t require a thick consistency, you can use refrigerated coconut milk with a 1:1 ratio. Try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for a more sour flavor.

11. Cottage cheese

Best for: baking, dips, savory dishes, spreads

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, substitute cottage cheese for sour cream! It has five times more protein than sour cream with half the calories. 

It’s best if you combine 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese with ¼ cup of milk and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. With this combination, you can use a 1:1 ratio.

If you need a smoother consistency, purée the cottage cheese with a blender or food processor first. This way, you can easily use it in soups or sauces.

12. Cashew cream

Best for: baking, dips, dressings, sauces, toppings

For another dairy-free or vegan alternative to sour cream, try making cashew cream. Cashews have a natural tanginess, making them delicious in sauces and dips.

To make cashew cream: 

• Soak a cup of raw, unsalted cashews in cool water overnight or hot water for 30 minutes.
• Drain water and mix cashews with the juice of a lemon, ¼ cup of water and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
• Blend in a food processor on high until smooth.
• Add salt to taste.
• Refrigerate for a few hours or until mixture thickens up.

This alternative holds up well to heat, so you can use it in sauces and even baked goods without having to worry about it separating.

13. DIY sour cream

Best for: dips, dressings, toppings

If you’re someone who plans ahead and likes to make dishes as homemade as possible, you can make DIY sour cream. 

This method takes some time but can be helpful if you want to cut down on your grocery budget by using ingredients you already have.

To make DIY sour cream:

• Whisk 1 cup of heavy cream with 1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice.
• Let sit for 10 minutes.
• Add ¼ cup of whole milk and stir until combined.
• Keep in a secure jar and let sit at room temperature up to 24 hours.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.

13 Simple Sour Cream Substitutes for Any Recipe

Recipe by InstacartCourse: RecipesDifficulty: Easy

Substitute sour cream with one of these alternatives.

Ingredients

• Greek yogurt

• Plain yogurt

• Cream cheese

• Mayonnaise

• Vegan mayo

• Buttermilk

• Kefir

• Crème fraîche

• Crema Mexicana

• Coconut milk

• Cottage cheese

• Cashew cream

• DIY sour cream

Directions

• Follow one of the recipes above. 
• Enjoy sour cream substitutes for any recipe!

Need other common substitution ideas? Check out this guide to cheese alternatives. And if these sour cream substitutes won’t quite work, don’t forget you can have your groceries delivered to your doorstep with Instacart.

Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.